What happened at Karachi's Gul Plaza mall?

A large fire broke out at the Gul Plaza shopping mall on Saturday night, killing at least three people and injuring around a dozen.

Why did the fire spread so quickly in the Karachi mall?

The fire intensified rapidly due to the presence of flammable materials like imported garments and plastic goods stored in the affected areas of the mall.

Are there safety concerns regarding shopping malls in Pakistan?

Yes, many structures in Pakistan, including shopping malls, lack adequate fire prevention and firefighting systems, leading to severe damages and casualties in fire incidents.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Karachi Mall Inferno: 3 Dead, Dozen Injured

Karachi Mall Inferno: 3 Dead, Dozen Injured

18 Jan

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Summary

A massive fire killed at least three and injured about a dozen at Karachi's Gul Plaza.
The blaze spread rapidly through stored imported garments and plastic goods.
Many structures in Pakistan lack adequate fire prevention systems, exacerbating risks.

Karachi Mall Inferno: 3 Dead, Dozen Injured

A fierce fire tore through the Gul Plaza shopping mall in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, on the night of Saturday, January 17, 2026. The devastating blaze claimed the lives of at least three individuals and left about a dozen others injured. Firefighters responded swiftly after the fire was reported shortly after 10 p.m. local time, battling intense flames that shot from the building's windows.

The rapid spread of the fire was attributed to large quantities of imported garments, clothing, and plastic household goods stored within the mall, which acted as fuel. The cause of the fire remains unknown, with authorities planning an investigation once the blaze is fully extinguished. Such incidents are tragically common in Pakistan due to a widespread lack of essential fire prevention and firefighting systems in many buildings.